The J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 vs J Boats J/112e 2015 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 at 34,5 ft versus J Boats J/112e 2015 at 36,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the J Boats J/112e 2015 tips the scales at 11 299 lbs — 3 550 lbs less than the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 at 7 749 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The J Boats J/112e 2015 tops out at 30 hp. Engine specs for the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the J Boats J/112e 2015 carries 23 gallons versus 12 gallons in the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The J Boats J/112e 2015 is rated for 11 passengers, while the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the J Boats J/112e 2015 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The J Boats J/112e 2015 displaces 11 299 lbs — a 3 550-lb difference over the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 at 7 749 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,7 ft and 6,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. The J Boats J/112e 2015 has a documented auxiliary engine of 30 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,6 knots for the J Boats J/112e 2015 and 7,3 knots for the J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991.
Bottom line: The J Boats J/112e 2015 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 11 299 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The J Boats J/105 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1991 at 7 749 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.